[Mobile Antenna Placement and Tuning]

I have one of my antennas mounted on the center inside edge of the trunk on my Toyota Camry. Without this multi-axis mount the antenna would not be vertical. 

 

I meant to reply back to this.  The mount I got is an absolute "no go".  Because it's so wide (about 4") it won't fit on my car because the only available edge is curved. :/

[Midland Universal Hood and Trunk Lip Mount with NMO Connector - ground?]

Neither. The set screws should pierce the paint and get ground on the hood.

What is the best way to tell if you've gotten a good ground?

 

I have one of these, and I don't think I pierced the paint.. yiopes!

[Mobile Antenna Placement and Tuning]

You could use a multi-axis adjustable NMO mount similar to this:

I like the way you think... I ordered one of these to test already and it should be here today.

 

[Mobile Antenna Placement and Tuning]

Just remeber perfect SWR doesn't mean you have a resonant antenna.

 

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

True True.. I'll order up an NMO magmount and put it on the roof center-ish.. and see how much of a difference it makes.  That's an inexpensive test.

[Mobile Antenna Placement and Tuning]

If this antenna works OK for your day-to-day use then just keep it as is.

You could have a good mag mount for the times when you need more range.

Just stash it in the back and put it on when you need it. 

What do you consider a "good" mag mount?

 

My biggest concern is doing damage to the radio with the SWR being between 1.5-1.8.. if that's acceptable.. I'm okay with the antenna as is.

 

[Mobile Antenna Placement and Tuning]

Good Day.

 

Yes, the angle of the antenna relative to the ground plane will affect the antennas radiation pattern and its impedance. As far uniform horizontal coverage is concerned, the more vertical the better. However, when using a low gain antenna the angle is not as critical as it would be with a high gain antenna. Low-gain antenna radiation patterns are closer to that of a fat-donut. If your SWR is within an acceptable range I would put your radio and antenna to the test. If it does what you need it to do, leave it be. If not you will need to experiment a bit until you find the placement, orientation and mounting that works for you.

 

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

This antenna is advertised as a 6db gain antenna.. would that be considered low or high gain?  I assume it's high-gain..   As far as an acceptable SWR range, what is considered acceptable?  It seems like some places say under 1.5:1, others under 2:1, while others seem to say nothing above 1.1:1 is acceptable.  Currently using a 15W radio, but if I go to a 40W or 50W, would this SWR range become more "dangerous"?

 

Currently I can easily "hear" my local repeater that is nearly 28miles away.. and I can key it up, but they can't hear me worth a a hooey.. with getting a near perfect SWR on the repeater channels.. I may just need more juice.

[Programming Multiple DCS/CTCSS Codes]

I'm trying to find a handheld GMRS radio that will allow programming / saving / labelling channels using the same frequency, and allow TX on them as well as RX.

For instance I wanted to create something along the lines of:

family1 - 462.5500 (ch15) - DCS 116

family2 - 462.5500 (ch15) - DCS 423

family3 - 462.6750 (ch20) - DCS 223

family4 - 462.6750 (ch20) - DCS 743

 

This would be for the idea of if we are getting interference from another radio user, we could "switch to family4".  This would mean everyone could change the channel easily without being lost on how to change the PL codes.

This would also be useful for setting up repeaters in an instance where you may pass multiple repeaters on the same frequencies.  You could plan and preprogram ahead of the trip.

 

My first set of radios were BTECH GMRS-v1 handhelds, and I thought I had this.. but those additional channels programmed in were RX only.. no TX. :/

Any radios that do this, or am I just in dreamland?
 

[Mobile Antenna Placement and Tuning]

Thanks guys.. just trying to understand my options.  As far as the ground plane, how is my radiation affected by a non perpendicular angle on the curved portion of the roof.  Would it be better to use an adjustable mount so that the mast is vertical?

[Mobile Antenna Placement and Tuning]

Hello,

 

I'm running the following equipment:

MXT275
MXTA26 on a tunk lip mount.

I drive a small car (Honda Fit) and am not too keen on making any holes.  I have had magnetic bases in the past which have worked wonderfully.. but unless you're more attentive than I am.. after time you start getting "wear" marks on your roof.. or worse, rust if your not careful.
 

Because of that, I thought I'd try the trunk lip mount.  It seems to work fine.. but I'm curious if there are any negative consequences to how it's angled.  The only place I can seem to fit it on my hatch is towards the side, so it angles to one side of the vehicle or the other.  I can't put it in the middle because it will hit the roof when I open the hatch.  I could also put it in the front on the hood, but it would do the same thing (but he lower).
 

Does anyone have any input on antenna placement like this?  What are some other options (including a magnetic mount) that might be better.. and potentially how much better?  For instance if a mag mount in the center of my roof would work 10x better I might try it.. but if it may only marginally approve, I might not.